Belgians are set to have regional, European, and federal elections before summer in 2024, though the exact date remains undecided. The European Union is divided between two dates: May 26 and June 9. The latter date is preferred by Germans and Belgians who would benefit from a longer rotating presidency of the Council, but is inconvenient for the Portuguese who do not wish to hold a vote during a national celebration. The European Parliament favors May 26, but it is not unanimously accepted by all member states. If there is no agreement, the “default” date from June 6 to 9 defined by the European Electoral Act of 1976 will be chosen. Ambassadors of the Twenty-Seven will confirm the final decision, and supporters of the May 26 option hope to convince others to vote for it.
ABefore the summer of 2024, Belgians will be called to regional, European and, barring any surprises, federal elections. Sunday remains to be determined. A choice devolved, in reality, to the Twenty-Seven. Which are divided, essentially around two dates: May 26 and June 9.
This second option is favoured, in particular, by the Germans (anxious to span the holidays at the end of May) or… by the Belgians (who would see their rotating presidency of the Council benefit from a somewhat longer useful period). On the other hand, the Portuguese are reluctant, unwilling to fix a ballot (for voluntary participation) in the middle of a weekend of (national) celebration. Hence their support for the proposal put forward by the European Parliament: on 26 May. Rejected by some. And, alas for Lisbon, none of the other dates proposed (almost every Sunday between the beginning of May and the end of June) is unanimously accepted at the European table. The proof by this consultation organized by the Swedish presidency last week, which recorded the differences. However, in the absence of agreement from all the capitals, it is the “default” date (defined by the European Electoral Act of 1976) that will prevail. That is, for 2024, the period from June 6 to 9 – in some Member States we vote (from) Thursday. A “choice” which will have to be confirmed by the ambassadors of the Twenty-Seven, perhaps as early as next week. Unless, in the meantime, the partisans of May 26 find better arguments to rally the others to their cause.
As Belgium prepares for its upcoming elections, the date for the voting day remains uncertain due to differing opinions among the European Union member states. While some countries are in favor of a May 26 election day, others are pushing for a June 9 date. Unfortunately, none of the proposed dates have been unanimously accepted. As a result, the “default” date of June 6 to 9 will likely be chosen for the elections. It remains to be seen whether any new arguments will arise before the ambassadors of the Twenty-Seven make their final decision, but one thing is certain: the Belgians will soon exercise their right to vote and participate in shaping the future of their country.